[Picture of Wormhole taken from the observation deck]
DURING EARTH'S WINTERS AFTER the events of WWIII, lethal nuclear storms combust spontaneously on the surface and in the atmosphere. The storms lasted for 61 days annually.
A year no longer became reckoned by months. It was advantageous to know the timeline relative to the next lethal storming season.
The new year began the first day after the 61 days of storms (Postorm 1). Postorm continued for 152 days. 152 days marked the halfway point to the storm season. After 152 days, a countdown began until day one of the storm season.
Succinctly a year was as follows:
Postorm – 152 days ascending;
Prestorm – 152 days descending;
Storm – 61 days ascending.
— Editing Team
AVA: JOURNAL: POSTORM 152, 3597:
I’m Avangeline Ross. I’m 27 and I’ve been selected to be the astronomer for the Madonna Mission.
It’s certainly not because I’m the best. There are plenty of men and women, mostly men, who know far more than me.
When I was chosen, a lot of them stopped speaking to me.
Some of them didn’t though; like, Dr. Withers.
Dr. Carson Withers has sort of become my mentor. He’s been a professor and researcher of astronomy for 30 years. He comes from a prestigious family of astronomers. Most of his family and relatives are NWO. But him and his wife aren’t.
I’ve heard rumors that at least one of the NWO covert collaborators is related to Dr. Withers. Dr. Withers is the direct descendant of the NWO man who discovered the wormhole in 3247.
But anyways, he started teaching me everything he knew.
I’m now very sick of the word, “wormhole.”
We leave tomorrow. We’re trying to avoid the effects of the nuclear storm as much as possible. So we’re going on the first day of prestorm.
Journaling isn’t something we’ve been asked to do. But I want to. They’re not against it — but they don’t really feel it’s necessary.
Captain Arita details the interpersonal aspects of the mission, and the blackbox records pretty much everything else. So […]
If I’m being honest, I’m not sure why I want to do this. I’ve never journaled before.
This will be a lot of firsts for me, I guess.
[Ava paused 00:28.12]
Sorry. I […]
[Ava paused 00:15.03]
I don’t feel ready.
I’m so grateful for Dr. Withers. Without him, I don’t know what I’d do. He didn’t have to do what he did. He’s just kind — and that’s rare these days.
They asked me if I was willing to be sterilized towards the beginning of this whole thing.
They explained it wasn’t mandatory for the mission, but that they’d prefer it.
Everyday we check in, we’re tested for pregnancy.
So it would be convenient, I guess. They told me it would just go on their records, and not even the other women on the ship would know.
I said no.
I don’t know if I’ll ever have children. But I want to be able to.
[End of entry]
THE MADONNA LAUNCHED PRESTORM 151, 3597 with no notable complications.
— Editing Team
ANITA: CAPTAIN REPORT: PRESTORM 151, 3597:
Crew is currently preparing for cryosis. Plants are in prime condition for the cryosis stage, according to Megan’s assessments. Charging and refueling on the covert NWO satellite is going well. Ava reported normalcy in her wormhole data analysis. Minor damage on the solar panels was repaired by Sarah and myself, via spacewalk. Our final post-launch pregnancy tests all came back negative; exempting Bonnie’s (voluntary pre launch sterilization) and Donna’s (uterine cancer treatment).
A minor interpersonal dispute arose in the cafeteria between Shawna and Brooklyn. Brooklyn commented on Shawna’s weight and size — to which Shawna reacted to with verbal and physical aggression (throwing Brooklyn’s food off the table). Bonnie addressed Shawna. Ava voluntarily addressed Brooklyn’s distress — in addition to my obligatory assistance and advice. Bonnie suggests given Brooklyn’s unique personality, that she be given consolation from whoever she naturally trusts. This appears to be Ava.
[End of report]
AVA: JOURNAL: PRESTORM 150, 3597:
We’re all entering cryogenic sleep tomorrow for the next 12 years. When we wake up we’ll be at the wormhole.
They say that even though our bodies will age, they’ll be relatively preserved. Our bodily processes will slow down and we’ll only look as if it’s been roughly 300 days.
That’s a perk, I guess.
[Ava laughed]
I’m gonna look really good for 32.
[End of entry]
BASE CONTROL: TRANSMISSION: PRESTORM 149, 3597:
Commence cryosis within the hour. Base control assuming navigational command.
[End of transmission]
CRYOSIS ENTRY WAS SUCCESSFUL. Cryosis was maintained, and the crew's vitals were stable for 11 of the 12 years.
Prestorm 66, 3608 — Brooklyn’s vitals indicated critical levels of pain. She woke from cryosis and began treating herself. Brooklyn was experiencing sharp stabbing pains in her stomach. After seeing no visible indications on the surface of her skin, she became increasingly distressed and woke Ava from cryosis as well.
Ava helped Brooklyn perform a series of diagnostics. They learned that Brooklyn had an ovarian cyst burst. After receiving a high dosage of pain medication, she stabilized.
Ava and Brooklyn transmitted to base control. Base control walked the two through a procedure that would regulate her reproductive health. The treatment would take effect primarily in her cryogenic sleep. After initiating the treatment and ceasing transmission with base control — the two did not resume cryosis for 32 minutes.
— Editing Team
BROOKLYN: RECOLLECTION:
The amount of controversy I’ve received for my account of what happened in those thirty minutes astonishes me. I don’t know how else to convince a person that I’m telling the truth. I was with Ava the entire time, but no one wanted to believe that we simply talked. No one wanted to believe that Ava was just concerned about me.
Ava asked me about puberty, and if I wanted to know anything. I didn’t tell her that I probably knew more about reproductive health than her — because I felt like I was being taken care of by my mom or an older sister.
We were both in a rush to resume cryosis, like base control ordered, but I could tell she was genuinely concerned for me.
She didn’t let the rush take precedent over me. No one had cared for me like that before. She prepared me a bowl of oatmeal, and wrapped me in a blanket. We sat by the window and watched the stars fly by. She pointed out Pluto. We talked about God.
I insisted on initiating her cryosis. Immediately after I entered mine.
— Dr. Brooklyn E. Groves
CRYOSIS AND STABILIZED VITALITY resumed for the last year of travel.
When the crew woke from cryosis they began their pre manual travel preparations. As predicted the woman’s menstrual cycles had all synced in cryosis — exempting Bonnie, Donna and Ava.
— Editing Team
ANITA: CAPTAIN REPORT: PRESTORM 134, 3609:
Our three days outside cryosis have been productive. Preparations for wormhole entry have been made. The Madonna passed checks and is ready for manual travel through and beyond the wormhole.
The 24 hour grace period begins upon transmission of this message. If no transmission is received from base control — the mission will continue according to procedure 34.
Brooklyn performed her post cryosis physicals on the crew and has reported an abnormality in the crew's menstruous. Ava’s cycle did not conform to the rest of the crews. Brooklyn is currently subjecting Ava to a series of tests.
[End of report]
BASE CONTROL: TRANSMISSION: PRESTORM 134, 3609:
Halt wormhole entry. Procedure 34 – null.
[End of transmission]
BASE CONTROL: TRANSMISSION: PRESTORM 133, 3609:
Subject Ava to pregnancy test.
[End of transmission]
BROOKLYN: RECOLLECTION:
Ava was approximately a quarter into her first trimester of pregnancy.
I told Ava she was pregnant, and she became frightened. As frightened as I was when I woke from cryosis.
Ava took a moment to collect herself. I could tell she had no idea how to explain her innocence. But I knew; I don’t know how I did, but I knew she was innocent.
I was frightened. But before she could let out a word, I assured her I believed her.
She was stunned.
I told her I knew she didn’t mean for this to happen, and that no matter what I would be on her side.
Maybe it was childish of me to be that loyal that fast. Maybe it’s simply because she had been kind to me. But I really knew she was innocent. I don’t know how to explain it.
She looked at me and pitifully stumbled through her alibi. I could tell she was saying it as much for herself as anything.
I called Anita into the medical quarters. When we told her, a fire burned in her eyes that we knew would light the whole world ablaze. She began questioning Ava ruthlessly.
Countless theories were raised as to how and why this happened. The most compelling was in vitro fertilization. Most likely performed by me, given my exclusive medical expertise. The record of our time out of cryogenic sleep one year prior became the most compelling evidence of our collusion. Cryosis would have slowed the aging of the fetus, and the development timeline matched up perfectly. It was a good story.
The crew was instantly divided. Most of the crew was sympathetic, however, only Donna and myself believed Ava fully. As far as Anita, Shawna and Bonnie were concerned — Ava was a traitor. The rest seemed frightened, confused, undecided and ambivalent.
— Dr. Brooklyn E. Groves
ANITA: CAPTAIN REPORT: PRESTORM 133, 3609:
Ava is pregnant. The embryo’s development is indicative of the first trimester. Ava pleads innocence and ignorance as to the cause of her pregnancy. A full investigation has commenced.
Crew assures base control of our loyalty to our intended mission.
Ava and Brooklyn’s 32 minutes logged out of cryosis (Prestorm 66, 3608) is suspect.
[End of report]
THE CREW DID NOT hear from base control for 12 days.
On Earth, controversy swelled. The board's greatest fear had been realized. Everything the board did to prevent this had failed. Citizens of NWO and CW alike became dominated by an overwhelming fear of being forsaken by the Madonna.
Given Dr Carson Withers mentorship of Ava and his familial relations and history with the NWO, he became highly suspect. He advocated wholeheartedly for Ava’s innocence, and doing so only brought him further under suspicion.
It came to the board’s attention that programmed into the ship was a self-destruct command. Its initiation was controlled exclusively by base control. The board would lose activation power of the self-destruct command when the Madonna passed through the wormhole.
This revelation seemingly appalled the board, and no one was able to provide an explanation for its existence. However, as days passed and controversy continued — the self-destruct command became a legitimate proposal. In spite of Anita’s assurance of the crew’s loyalty to the intended mission, hatred and paranoia brewed among citizens of both parties.
The NWO located and attacked the CW base control on Prestorm 120, 3609. The NWO attempted to seize command of the mission. Fighting and chaos ensued within base control.
— Editing Team
BASE CONTROL: TRANSMISSION: PRESTORM 121, 3609:
Proceed through wormhole.
[End of transmission]
MISTY SEIZED MANUAL CONTROL of the ship’s navigation, and the Madonna entered the wormhole. The crew was entirely ignorant of the board's deliberation and eventual consensus concerning their destruction.
It was later discovered that Dr. Carson Withers had infiltrated the control room and sent the order to proceed — against the wishes of the board. Dr Withers and his wife — along with their children and grandchildren, were executed for his actions.
— Editing Team
AVA: JOURNAL: PRESTORM 121, 3609:
I don’t need anyone to believe my story. I know what I know. God knows I’m innocent and that’s enough for me.
Bless Donna and Brooklyn for believing me. Honestly, I don’t blame the others for not believing me. I don’t know if I’d believe it if I were in their shoes. I’m almost certain I wouldn’t.
I’m so scared.
I wondered if someone did this to me while I was asleep, but there was no other record of anyone waking up besides Brooklyn and I a year ago. And the blackbox data can’t be deleted. So […]
I feel sick thinking about everyone back on Earth.
[Ava wept]
What am I going to do? I’m having a baby. I’m going to be a mother.
We’re all dying to know its gender.
I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that part of me is rejoicing. But not like this. It’s hard to feel that when I’m so surrounded by all this fear.
It’s crossed everyone’s mind that if it’s a boy, my child could feasibly repopulate with Brooklyn. None of us talk about this, except for Brooklyn who first brought it up. She suggested possibly preserving our eggs. She was immediately silenced by Anita.
I think we just want to know what we’re dealing with before we start thinking like that.
For simplicity sake I hope it’s a girl. Then we can all stop worrying.
Everything’s going to be okay.
In other news, the wormhole is beautiful. I’ve been collecting data whenever I can. I know Dr. Withers will be thrilled to get the transmission on our way back.
I wish he was here to see this.
[End of entry]
WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH THE wormhole, it became apparent that the development of the embryo was abnormally rapid. Within a matter of days Ava’s belly had visibly grown.
The crew watched as Brooklyn performed an ultrasound on Ava. The imaging on the screen indicated immediately to the entire crew that the growing fetus was not human.
— Editing Team
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